In ancient Anglo-SaxonEngland, the ancestors of the Waikfert surname lived at Wakefield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "Its name, in the Domesday Survey Wachefeld, is of Saxon origin. In the reign of Edward the Confessor, it formed part of the royal demesnes; and, after the Conquest, was granted by Henry I. to William, Earl Warren, with whose descendants it remained till the reign of Edward III. " [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. However, the surname Waikfert is occasionally derived from another settlement by the same name in Northumberland. The surname Waikfert belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxonhabitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Waikfert Early Origins

The surname Waikfert was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Wachefeld being King William's land, which included in 1066 two churches. One of the more interesting first mentions of the name was Peter of Wakefield or Peter of Pontefract (died 1213), an English hermit. He prophesied that King John's crown would be passed to another by next Ascension Day, 23 May 1213. This prophecy spread throughout Britain, even to France. King John had him imprisoned and when the forecasted day came and went, had him gruesomely killed for vengeance.

Waikfert Spelling Variations

Waikfert Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Waikfert are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Waikfert include: Wakefield, Wakefeild and others.

Waikfert Early History

Waikfert Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waikfert research. Another 175 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1375 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Waikfert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waikfert Early Notables (pre 1700)

Waikfert Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Waikfert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North Ameri ca. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Waikfert or a variant listed above: Thomas Wakefield settled in Virginia in 1635; Anne Wakefield settled in Massachusetts with her husband in 1638; John Wakefeild settled in Virginia in 1635.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Colletta, John P. They Came In Ships. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1993. Print.

Crozier, William Armstrong Edition. Crozier's General Armory A Registry of American Families Entitled to Coat Armor. New York: Fox, Duffield, 1904. Print.

Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.

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The Waikfert Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Waikfert Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.